I was disappointed to find that Dr. Dowling had closed his practice after 37 years. I always found him to be upbeat, genial and thoroughly professional in the way he ran his practice. Dr. Dowling was always gracious and would go out of his way to assist patients and customers. In addition to being a top level Optician he was always willing to make fine adjustments to a client's glasses without charge. He was one of the "Old School" Opticians and will be greatly missed. I hope he is physically well and has great plans for his retirement. Lately, it seems as if all of Doctors I have seen in the last 10 years are retiring or going out of business. It was always a pleasure to see the Doctor and I sincerely want to thank him for his many years of consistent and top-rate optical care. It might have been the Covid that sent him into retirement but I will always remember him as a consummate Professional who was always upbeat and quick with a smile. I found out just yes-terday that he had retired when I went to his office in Centerville to see about a new eyeglass prescription. I was crushed to find the sign on the door and a com-pletely empty shop. I personally wish him the very best and hope he adds a thril-ling "new chapter" to his personal life. As I am a retired U.S. Naval Officer, I do not hesitate to wish him "Fair Winds and Following Seas" (a comment ordinarily used by Seafarers when describing other Seafarers). I wish him all the personal happiness in the world. He always kept everything on a professional level and it is clear that he maintained exceptionally high personal standards of excellence and exhibited great skill and competence in his field of endeavor. He consistently demonstrated an expert level of proficiency as an Optician. Rest assured he will be missed by the entire local community and by the greater Cape as a whole. I knew him on a professional level l but I honestly wish I could have referred to him as "My friend".